Chugwater Chili Cook-Off

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Food & DrinkChugwater
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forRegional food & drinkChugwater's name is already attached
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Chugwater Chili Cook-Off in Chugwater

The Chugwater Chili Cook-Off brings competitive chili cooking to the tiny town of Chugwater, Wyoming, home of the well-known Chugwater Chili seasoning company. The one-day summer event combines a judged cook-off with live music, vendors, and small-town community activities in a town of only a few hundred residents.

Chugwater, Wyoming is a small town along the old Cheyenne-to-Deadwood trail route, notable nationally chiefly for one thing: the Chugwater Chili Corporation, a seasoning company founded in the town that has sold its chili spice mix in grocery stores across the region and beyond for decades, giving a town of only a few hundred residents an outsized culinary reputation relative to its size.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Chugwater's name is already attached nationally to chili through the Chugwater Chili Corporation, a seasoning company founded in the town decades ago whose spice mix is sold in grocery stores well beyond Wyoming, so a chili cook-off held in the town of that same name carries a built-in culinary identity most small-town food festivals lack

02

The mystery stays covered

The event's scale is part of its charm rather than a limitation: Chugwater's population numbers only in the low hundreds, meaning the cook-off temporarily multiplies the town's visible population many times over for a single day, a dramatic transformation that makes the event feel like a genuine community takeover rather than an addition to an already-busy calendar

03

The city starts moving

Competitive judged chili cooking gives the event a clear structural centerpiece that smaller general community festivals often lack

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Judged competitive chili cooking held in the town most associated nationally with the Chugwater Chili seasoning brand is the defining

Water and renewal

Living ritual

unchanging premise of the cook-off each year

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Chugwater you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Casual summer outdoor wear; comfortable shoes given the event is likely spread across a small downtown area.

Safety

Chugwater Chili Cook-Off is easier when valuables are secure and the group knows where to meet if separated.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Chugwater Chili Cook-Off runs late.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.76 N, 104.82 WOpen in Google Maps

Chugwater, WY

Nearest airportCYS — Cheyenne Regional Jerry Olson Field
TransportStay close enough to the part of Chugwater you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Chugwater Chili Cook-Off runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Chugwater via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Chugwater, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearCasual summer outdoor wear; comfortable shoes given the event is likely spread across a small downtown area.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Chugwater Chili Cook-Off?

Chugwater Chili Cook-Off is listed for Past edition: 20 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Chugwater Chili Cook-Off take place?

The festival is listed in Chugwater, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Chugwater, WY

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLchugwaterchilicookoff.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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